Portable air conditioner with water evaporator heat exchange system

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention include a portable air conditioner having a water evaporative type heat exchange system that delivers water onto the condenser, thereby cooling the condenser and optionally including a water cooling system, including a pump and a water diffuser in fluid communication via a conduit wherein the condenser is cooled by spraying water from the water diffuser onto the condenser thereby cooling the condenser and subsequently reducing electrical consumption.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Indian Application No. 1885/MUM/2014, filed Jun. 9, 2014, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of air conditioning and more particularly pertains to an air conditioner having an internal cooling system with hot air exhaust system having adjustable tiles to fit any window or opening.

2. Description of Related Art

The use of air conditioners is well known. While many air conditioners fulfill their respective objectives, e.g., remove hot air from a spatial area, air conditioners are expensive to operate and are often inefficient. For example, power requirements to run blowers and motors, condensers, evaporators, and high pressure compressors are as is the cost of refrigerant. Moreover, existing air conditioning units do not provide an air conditioner having a hot air exhaust system that is easily separable from an intake port nor for incorporation into any space so that the exhaust may be exhausted to a discrete area separated from the area to be cooled.

In view of the disadvantages referred to above, a portable air conditioner having reduced electrical power requirements, enhanced efficiency, as well as apparatus to insulate an intake from an exhaust portal, would represent an advance in the art.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a portable air conditioner having a water evaporative type heat exchange system that delivers water onto the condenser, thereby cooling the condenser and optionally including a water cooling system, including a pump and a water diffuser in fluid communication via a conduit wherein the condenser is cooled by spraying water from the water diffuser onto the condenser thereby cooling the condenser and subsequently reducing electrical consumption, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures herein.

Embodiments of the invention further comprise adjustable interlinking tiles of varying sizes capable of forming an interlinked wall to separate the intake portal and the exhaust portal of the air conditioner, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures herein, are disclosed as set forth more completely in the claims. Various advantages and features of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only illustrative embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. It is to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be in other embodiments without further recitation. It is further understood that, where possible, identical reference numerals have been used to indicate comparable elements that are common to the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the front of a portable air conditioner according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the back of the portable air conditioner;

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic gas flow diagram of the portable air conditioner, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4A depicts a water evaporative type heat exchange system, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4B depicts a water cooling system 70, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a first interlinking tile, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a second interlinking tile, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a third interlinking tile, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a fourth interlinking tile, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a fifth interlinking tile, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a sixth interlinking tile, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 11 depicts an interlinking rod, according to embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 12 depicts an interlinked wall, comprising the interlinking tiles of FIGS. 5-11, according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the front of a portable air conditioner 10 according to embodiments of the invention. The portable air conditioner 10 comprises a housing 12, which houses an air intake 18, a cold air portal 16, which illustrates a front surface 14. FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the back of the portable air conditioner 10. A back surface 20 of the housing 12 comprises an exhaust portal 22, which expels hot air generated by the portable air conditioner 10, and is used to engage a conduit through a wall (not shown), as discussed below, to releasably separate the exhausted hot air from the flow of the cold air.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic gas flow diagram 30 of the portable air conditioner 10, according to embodiments of the invention. A compressor 34, which is in fluid communication with an accumulator 32, compresses a gas, for example, an R22 refrigerant, into a high pressure fluid, for example, the pressure may be approximately 60 bars, which passes through a tube 36 into a condenser 38. In some embodiments, the high pressure fluid is a liquid/gas mixture. As with conventional air conditioners, a blower, i.e., a condenser fan 39, blows ambient air onto the condenser 38, and out in the direction 41. From the condenser 38, the high pressure fluid passes through a strainer 40. Between the strainer 40 and an evaporator 44 is a fine capillary tube 42, for example, a copper tube approximately 1 mm in diameter, which carries the fluid as a low pressure liquid and/or vapor (or mixture thereof) into the evaporator 44. The strainer 40 comprises, for example, a spiral-shaped copper tube, which reduces the flow of the gas so that the pressure increases significantly.

In the evaporator 44, which may be a plate type evaporator, the liquid is evaporated into a vapor, becoming a low pressure vapor. An evaporator fan 43 blows air over the evaporator 44, in the direction 45, producing cool air. The low pressure vapor passes through the evaporator 44, which is placed within a water tank (discussed below), which is controlled by a solenoid valve 46 into the accumulator 32 of the compressor 34. From the compressor 34, the gas under high pressure vapor is sent to the condenser 38. Because of the plate type heat dispenser unit which comprises a honeycomb (not shown), the temperature of the hot vapor is reduced to approximately room temperature.

FIG. 4A depicts a water evaporative type heat exchange system 60, according to embodiments of the invention. The condenser 38 comprises the water evaporative type heat exchange system 60, comprising at least one motor 64 and at least one propeller 68, which sprays excess water 63 onto the condenser 38, such as water droplets 66. In some embodiments, the water spray system 60 comprises a vane rotor and/or an impeller (not shown). Moreover, in at least one embodiment according to the invention, the vane rotor or impeller is powered when a sensor 80 senses a pre-set water level.

FIG. 4B depicts a water cooling system 70, according to embodiments of the invention. The condenser 38 further comprises a water pump 72 fitted to the condenser 38. The water pump 72 pumps the excess water 63 from a conduit 74, out a spigot 76, and into a perforated water diffuser 78 above the condenser 38. The water is then sprinkled as water droplets 79 over the condenser 38, thereby reducing the temperature of the condenser 38. Because the condenser 38 is naturally cooled by the water droplets 79, less cooling needs to be provided by the refrigerant and the evaporator 44, thereby reducing electrical consumption, making the portable air conditioner 10 more economical and affordable to operate. It is to be understood that the compressor 34, accumulator 32, condenser 38, evaporator 44, solenoid valve 46, water pump 72, sensor 80, evaporator fan 43, condenser fan 39, motor 64 and, for example, a thermostat are in electrical/electronic communication with a controller, e.g., a printed circuit board and on/off switch, as are known to those in the art, to control the temperature and volume of the cool air blown in direction 45.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise an air conditioner that recycles condensed water, thereby avoiding the need to manually extract water, which further flows onto a condenser, reducing the hot vapor pressure generated within the condenser, which in turn reduces power consumption and increases efficiency.

Embodiments of the invention further comprise a water evaporative heat exchange assembly, and a screen vane rotor for introducing a water spray from a tank into the hot air discharge attachment flowing over the water in the latter. The rotor is turn able on a transverse plane directly above the water.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise an air conditioning unit having a portal on a front surface for delivery of a cold air flow, an air intake portal located within a housing of the air conditioning unit, a heat exhaust portal on a back side of the air conditioning unit that is opposite the front surface, an electronic power source coupled to a condenser, centrifugal blowers and a rotary compressor, a water evaporation system, and interlinking tiles adaptable to be fixed within any window or opening to releasably separate the air intake portal from the heat exhaust portal.

Embodiments of the invention further comprise adjustable interlinking tiles of varying sizes capable of forming an interlinked wall to separate the intake portal and the exhaust portal of the air conditioner. Yet another embodiment of the present invention are interlinking tiles which interlock to fit to any window, thereby separating the exhaust port 22 from the cold air portal 16, as described above. FIG. 5 depicts a first interlinking tile 100, according to embodiments of the invention. The first interlinking tile 100 has six exterior surfaces, including a front surface 116, a right hand surface 112, a bottom surface 114, a top surface 110, a left surface 118, and a back surface (not shown). The interlinking tile 100 is, for example, four units in length and four units in height. The interlinking tile 100 also defines a through hole 108, traversing from the front surface 116 to the back surface. Embodiments of the invention comprise wherein the through hole 108 is located within the center of the first interlinking tile 100 as well as wherein the through hole 108 is eccentric. Moreover, the through hole 108 comprises several differently sized diameters. As discussed further below, the through hole 108 is adapted to engage differently sized exhaust ports of air conditioning units. The interlinking tile 100, like those interlinking tiles discussed further below, may be made of any suitably stiff material. For example, the interlinking tile 100 may be made of a plastic material, such as a poly(vinyl chloride), polypropylene, poly(butylene terephthalate), acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, or the like. The interlinking tile 100 made of a plastic material further offers an interlinking tile that is easily manufactured through, for example, an injection molding process or a 3D printing process, so that complex shapes, such as the through hole 108, locking element 102 and locking hole 104 are easily incorporated therewithin the interlinking tile 100, i.e., without the need for additional machining operations. However, other materials and processes are possible, such as sintered plastic materials and ceramics comprising binders. Other ceramics, such as glass and borosilicates, or metals, such as stainless steels, may be used to make the interlinking tiles.

The first interlinking tile 100 further comprises a plurality of locking elements 102 and locking holes 104 for receiving the locking elements 102. As shown, the locking elements 102 are placed on the top surface 110 and the right hand surface 112. However, embodiments of the invention comprise wherein the locking elements 102 can be on any of the right hand surfaces 112, bottom surfaces 114, top surfaces 110 and/or left surfaces 118. Also, because the locking elements 102 and the locking holes are placed symmetrically on the first interlinking tile 100, as well as on other interlinking tiles discussed below, the first interlinking tile 100 are reversible with respect to front surface 116 and back surface. Therefore, the front surface 116 can become the back surface, allowing the locking elements 102, which are placed on the right hand surface 112, to be used as if on the left surface 118. Also, the sides are rotatable. In other words, the top surface 110 can become, for example, the left hand surface 118, the bottom surface 114, or the right hand surface 112. As will be discussed below, the reversibility of the first interlinking tile 100 allows a flexible design of unlimited sizes and patterns. Embodiments of the invention include wherein some or all of the interlinking tiles 100 are constructed such that all have locking holes 104. The locking elements 102 can be provided as, for example, a plastic or metal rod (discussed below) that is separable from the interlinking tiles 100 (as well as other interlinking tiles discussed below). The locking element 102, which would have a first end and a second end can be introduced into any locking hole 104.

FIG. 6 depicts a second interlinking tile 200, according to embodiments of the invention. The second interlinking tile 200 has six exterior surfaces, including a front surface 116, a right hand surface 112, a bottom surface 114, a top surface 110, a left surface 118, and a back surface (not shown). The second interlinking tile 200 is, also, for example, four units in length and four units in height. As above, the second interlinking tile 200 has locking elements 102 and locking holes 104 for receiving the locking elements 102. Because the second interlinking tile 200 comprises the same thickness t as the first interlinking tile 100, it can also be reversed along any axis.

FIG. 7 depicts a third interlinking tile 300, according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 7 comprises a third interlinking tile 300 that is, for example, four units in length and three units in height. The third interlinking tile 300 also has six exterior surfaces, including a front surface 116, a right hand surface 112, a bottom surface 114, a top surface 110, a left surface 118, and a back surface (not shown) and has locking elements 102 and locking holes 104 for receiving the locking elements 102.

FIG. 8 depicts a fourth interlinking tile 400, according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 8 comprises a fourth interlinking tile 400 that is, for example, four units in length and one unit in height. The fourth interlinking tile 400 also has six exterior surfaces, including a front surface 116, a right hand surface 112, a bottom surface 114, a top surface 110, a left surface 118, and a back surface (not shown) and has locking elements 102 and locking holes 104 for receiving the locking elements 102. Because the second interlinking tile 200 comprises the same thickness t as the first interlinking tile 100, the second interlinking tile 200, and the third interlinking tile 300, the fourth interlinking tile 400 can also be reversed, i.e., allowing the front surface 116 to become the back surface.

FIG. 9 depicts a fifth interlinking tile 500, according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 9 comprises a fifth interlinking tile 500 that is, for example, four units in length and two units in height. The fifth interlinking tile 500 also has six exterior surfaces, including a front surface 116, a right hand surface 112, a bottom surface 114, a top surface 110, a left surface 118, and a back surface (not shown) and has locking elements 102 and locking holes 104 for receiving the locking elements 102. Because the fifth interlinking tile 500 comprises the same thickness t as the first interlinking tile 100, the second interlinking tile 200, the third interlinking tile 300, and the fourth interlinking tile 400, the fifth interlinking tile 500 can also be reversed, i.e., allowing the front surface 116 to become the back surface.

FIG. 10 depicts a sixth interlinking tile 600, according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 10 comprises a sixth interlinking tile 600 that is, for example, four units in length and one unit in height. The sixth interlinking tile 600 also has six exterior surfaces, including a front surface 116, a right hand surface 112, a bottom surface 114, a top surface 110, a left surface 118, and a back surface (not shown) and locking holes 104 for receiving the locking elements 102. Because the sixth interlinking tile 600 comprises the same thickness t as the first interlinking tile 100, the second interlinking tile 200, the third interlinking tile 300, the fourth interlinking tile 400, and the fifth interlinking tile 500, the sixth interlinking tile 600 can also be reversed, i.e., allowing the front surface 116 to become the back surface.

FIG. 11 depicts an interlinking rod 800, according to embodiments of the invention. The interlinking rod 800 is adapted to fit any sized locking hole 104 disposed within any of the interlinking tiles 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600. The interlinking rod 800 comprises first end for introduction into the locking hole 104 of one interlinking tile and a second end 804 for introduction into a locking hole 104 of an adjacent interlinking tile. The interlinking rod 800 may be made of any suitably stiff material, as discussed above with respect to the interlinking tiles. For example, if two interlinking tiles 600 were adjacent to one another, or stacked on top of one another. The interlinking rod 800 may be employed to interlink the two interlinking tiles 600.

FIG. 12 depicts an interlinked wall 700, comprising interlinking tiles 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600, according to embodiments of the invention. As depicted, the interlinked wall 700 comprises a base layer 702 that is three interlinked tiles 300 wide. Three interlinked tiles 500 are disposed a layer 704 higher than the base layer 702. A layer 706 comprising three interlinked tiles 200 is disposed on the layer 704. A layer 708 comprising two interlinked tiles 200 and an interlinked tile 100 disposed therebetween is disposed on the layer 706. A layer 710 comprising three interlinked tiles 400 is disposed on the layer 708. A layer 712 comprising three interlinked tiles 500 is disposed on the layer 710. A layer 714 comprising three interlinked tiles 600 is disposed on the layer 712. Because the interlinked tiles 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 have different heights, an interlinked wall 700 of virtually any height, as well as any length, can be constructed to fit virtually any window to separate the front of an air conditioning unit from the exhaust port situated on an opposite side. Moreover, a through hole 108 in the interlinked tile 100 can be disposed virtually anywhere within the interlinked wall 700. As stated above, because all of the interlinked tiles 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 can be rotated or disposed so that the front surface becomes a back surface, the interlinked wall 700 can have, on all sides 720, 730, 740, and 750, sides free of any locking elements 102 and/or locking holes 104. In this manner, all interlinking tiles are locked in place on at least two of four of its sides.

It is to be noted that an interlinked wall may have more than one interlinking tile 100 to accommodate more than one exhaust port or other component, for example, an electric wire of an air conditioning unit. Also, interlinking tile 100 may be disposed anywhere within the interlinked wall 700, i.e., not necessarily in a geographic center of the interlinked wall 700. It is to be further understood that other interlinked walls may comprise any combination of interlinking tiles 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600, i.e., without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications are possible in embodiments without materially departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Any and all such modifications are intended to be included within the embodiments of the invention, and other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the following claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and other referents describing embodiments of the invention are to be construed both in the singular and plural unless otherwise indicated or clearly contradicted by context. Ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring to each separate value falling within the range; unless otherwise indicated herein, and each range value is incorporated into the specification as if individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be contemplated as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable air conditioner, comprising: a compressor; an accumulator in fluid communication with the compressor via a conduit; a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor, wherein the compressor supplies a fluid to the condenser; a condenser fan capable of blowing air onto the compressor and blowing the air through a hot air portal; an evaporator in fluid communication with the compressor; an evaporator fan capable of blowing air onto the evaporator, cooling the air, and blowing it through a cold air portal; a solenoid valve capable of opening and closing the conduit, controlling the flow of the fluid to the accumulator; and a water evaporative type heat exchange system that delivers water onto the condenser, thereby cooling the condenser.
 2. The portable air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a water cooling system, comprising a pump and a water diffuser in fluid communication via a conduit wherein the condenser is cooled by spraying water from the water diffuser onto the condenser thereby cooling the condenser and subsequently reducing electrical consumption.
 3. The portable air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a refrigerant.
 4. The portable air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant comprises R22.
 5. The portable air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a strainer in fluid communication with the compressor.
 6. A kit for an interlinked wall, comprising: at least one first interlinking tile having a plurality of locking elements and a plurality of locking holes, and at least one through hole; and a plurality of second interlinking tiles having a plurality of locking elements and a plurality of locking holes, wherein interlinking the at least one first interlinking tile with the plurality of second interlinking tiles creates an interlinked wall for providing a barrier between two spatial areas, wherein the kit comprises a variety of different sized first and second interlinking tiles adapted to fit a range of windows sizes.
 7. The interlinked wall of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of third interlinking tiles.
 8. The interlinked wall of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of fourth interlinking tiles.
 9. The interlinked wall of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of fifth interlinking tiles.
 10. The interlinked wall of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of sixth interlinking tiles.
 11. The interlinked wall of claim 6, wherein the two spatial area comprise a window disposed therebetween.
 12. A method of efficiently cooling a space, comprising: attaching an appropriately sized interlinked wall of claim 5 to the hot air portal of an operating portable air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the interlinked wall is disposed between hot air portal and the cold air portal of the operating portable air conditioner. 